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Julia RittenbergContributor
Julia is a writer in New York and started covering tech and business during the pandemic. She also covers books and the publishing industry.
Cassie BottorffEditor
Cassie is a deputy editor collaborating with teams around the world while living in the beautiful hills of Kentucky. Focusing on bringing growth to small businesses, she is passionate about economic development and has held positions on the boards of directors of two non-profit organizations seeking to revitalize her former railroad town. Prior to joining the team at Forbes Advisor, Cassie was a content operations manager and copywriting manager.
Julia Rittenberg,
Julia RittenbergContributor
Julia is a writer in New York and started covering tech and business during the pandemic. She also covers books and the publishing industry.
Cassie Bottorff
Cassie BottorffEditor
Cassie is a deputy editor collaborating with teams around the world while living in the beautiful hills of Kentucky. Focusing on bringing growth to small businesses, she is passionate about economic development and has held positions on the boards of directors of two non-profit organizations seeking to revitalize her former railroad town. Prior to joining the team at Forbes Advisor, Cassie was a content operations manager and copywriting manager.
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Brette Sember, J.D.contributor
Brette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that include estates, probate, finance, business, bankruptcy and more. Her website is www.BretteSember.com.
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Brette Sember, J.D.
Brette Sember, J.D.contributor
Brette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that include estates, probate, finance, business, bankruptcy and more. Her website is www.BretteSember.com.
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Updated: Jun 2, 2024, 3:42pm
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Table of Contents
- What Is a Business Entity?
- Search by Name
- Search by Entity Number
- Search by Executive Name
- Searching for a Unique Business Name
- Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs Dropdown]
Show more
When you’re ready to set up your business in Utah, it’s necessary to make sure your name is available to use in the state. Searching Utah business entities will show you what’s taken and help you figure out what’s available. In addition to searching business entities, we’ll go over the steps to take to set up your business entity in Utah.
Utah’s Secretary of State offers a free entity search database, so that you can quickly find out if your desired name is available. Use the Utah business entity search to quickly find a business entity in the state.
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What Is a Business Entity?
A business entity is the way in which a business is organized and how it is legally recognized by the state. In Utah, some of the ways business entities can be formed include corporations, LLCs and partnerships. An LLC (limited liability company) is one of the most common business entities.
When you form an LLC, your official business name is registered with the state so it’s aware of your business operations. This also means your personal assets are protected and you can start categorizing company purchases as business expenses on your tax filings.
Why Form an LLC?
Even if you’re an individual doing business, forming an LLC is a good way to protect yourself and your assets while your business grows. It’s a more flexible business entity because you can scale and hire employees, but you’re not required to form a board of directors to oversee your business operations.
Fundamentals of an LLC
To form an LLC in Utah, you need a unique business name and must fill out a registration form with the Utah Department of Commerce. If you prefer, you can outsource this work to an online LLC formation serviceso you can get started on other important business operations more quickly.
Search by Name
Before you register a business entity with the Utah Department of Commerce, you should do a Utah business entity search of your business name in their database. This ensures your proposed business name isn’t already taken.
Even if the specific name you want is available, but is very similar to an already-registered business entity, it might be worth it to consider changing up the name. You want to make sure your business stands out and customers aren’t confused, especially in a small community.
Search by Entity Number
Business entities are also assigned an entity number, which is their Employer Identification Number (EIN). Some businesses use a different public-facing name (a DBA), so you can use a business’s EIN to find their official registered name as well.
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Search by Executive Name
People can also search for businesses using the name of one of the executives of a registered business entity. This is important if you want to get in contact with the executive, see what their business entities are named or see how many businesses they have.
Searching for a Unique Business Name
Ultimately, it’s necessary to create an original name for your business. When you’re searching by business name, exclude apostrophes and commas so you can find all the names that might be similar to yours. Picking your business’s name is much easier when you have a sense of what is already out there.
Bottom Line
Choosing and registering your business name is an important first step in forming your business. Once you register your business, you get to start on the creative operations of running the business.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs Dropdown]
Does an LLC need a business license in Utah?
The state of Utah does not issue business licenses, but it requires business entities to register with the Department of Commerce. You then must obtain a business license from the city or county. You may need different licenses for regulated businesses such as a law firm, a doctor’s office or general contracting, so it’s best to get in touch with the Department of Commerce with questions that are specific to your business. Learn more in our guide to Utah business licenses.
How do I find the owner of an LLC in Utah?
You can find the name of the owner if you know the LLC’s name. Search by the business name on Utah’s business entity search, and it will show the results on file.
How do I find out if a business is licensed in Utah?
To find out if a business is registered in Utah, use the Secretary of State’s database to search through Utah businesses. You can search by name, entity number or executive name to find the available information.
Can I be my own registered agent in Utah?
Utah allows LLC members or owners to act as their own registered agents, provided they are at least 18 and possess a physical address within the state.
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Julia Rittenberg
Contributor
Julia is a writer in New York and started covering tech and business during the pandemic. She also covers books and the publishing industry.
Cassie Bottorff
Editor
Cassie is a deputy editor collaborating with teams around the world while living in the beautiful hills of Kentucky. Focusing on bringing growth to small businesses, she is passionate about economic development and has held positions on the boards of directors of two non-profit organizations seeking to revitalize her former railroad town. Prior to joining the team at Forbes Advisor, Cassie was a content operations manager and copywriting manager.
